Stone County slayings: Teen suspects from Texas, Tennessee

Feb. 4, 2013

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Margaret Susan and Paul Brian Brooks / Submitted photo

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GALENA -- Gaining access to a juvenile hearing in connection with Thursday’s Stone County double homicide, the News-Leader has learned the names of two teens being held.

At the hearing, defense attorneys for the two -- Christopher Allen, 15, and Anthony Zarro, 16 -- argued the boys be released from the secure Greene County facility where they are housed. A judge decided to keep them there for at least 30 days.

The teens appeared via video conference today for a hearing to determine whether they would remain in custody while authorities continue to investigate the case.

The video screen was placed near the defense table in the courtroom. It was positioned to face the judge and the screen itself was not visible to the audience.

Neither teen spoke during the short hearing.

Paul Brian Brooks, 70, and Margaret Susan Brooks, 69, were found just before 6 p.m. Thursday in a home where they were living — 1722 Trace Hollow Road, off the lake, 75 miles south of Springfield. They would have celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in July.

The charges revealed today against each teen are first-degree murder, armed criminal action and B felony burglary. Authorities have not said how the Brookses died but have said they were not shot. Armed criminal action can be filed when a dangerous instrument or weapon is used in a crime.

From here, authorities will decide whether to try both teens as adults. The juvenile office in Stone County has announced its intention for both to be charged as adults.

Although a judge allowed today's hearing to be open, in line with state law applying transparency to serious allegations like murder against juveniles, the files in the case remain closed.

Lawyers for Allen and Zarro both argued that the teens should not be held in secure custody while the case plays out. Zarro’s attorney argued he has only had minor run-ins with the law until this point and would benefit from a more flexible situation.

Allen’s attorney argued that his client had never been convicted of a crime, although he did indicate past issues with drugs. He also said that Allen had no blood evidence on him at the time of his arrest. He indicated he believes there was no evidence Allen perpetrated a violent act — only an offense against property.

The attorneys for Allen and Zarro said both boys were at a local ranch for troubled boys voluntarily.

Responding, Mark Rundel, the Stone County Juvenile Office’s attorney, said: “We’re not dealing here with people who are charged with stealing a car. We’re dealing with the most heinous charge in the state of Missouri.”

Rundel also pointed out that both teens have run away from the ranch before, another reason to keep them locked up.

Judge Alan Blankenship ruled that the teens would stay in custody, at least for another month.

Allen’s attorney said his parents were in Tennessee and were not present for the hearing. Zarro’s parents were at the hearing. Zarro is originally from Texas.